I’m thrilled to be participating in duradash® 2025, a fundraiser supporting Spinal CSF Leak Foundation. I sustained my leak in 2017 due to a lumbar puncture. Despite four procedures to seal my spinal CSF leak, repairs have not held. My case is complex, and with multiple other conditions that impact treatment tolerance and outcomes, like Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome and MCAS, I am waiting for research to evolve and for me to hopefully get sealed one day.

Despite actively leaking for almost 8 years now, I've been honoured to serve the wonderful spinal CSF leak community by volunteering for the Foundation since 2020. I was invited to join the Board of Directors in 2022, and was asked to step into the Board President role last year. In addition to donating my time and brain juice to this fantastic organzation, I'm fundraising in support of its mission and its desire to improve the lives of people affected by spinal CSF leak in meaningful ways. 

And for that, I need your help! Every donation—big or small—helps me reach my fundraising goal and directly impacts this important cause.

Here's how you can help:

• Donate: Contribute whatever you can. No amount is too small!
• Spread the Word: Share my fundraising page with your friends, family, and social networks. Let’s spread awareness so we can raise more!

To read more about my story:

• A spinal fluid leak derailed my life of travel and food, but taught me to find beauty in the small things (CNN)
• “Just fight harder” and other myths about living with a complex spinal CSF leak (from my own site)

Thank you for standing by me in this effort. I'll be participating in this virtual fundraising challenge by doing 150 minutes of walking during the two weeks of this year's duradash®.

Your support means the world to me!

-Jodi

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Updates from my personal duradash® challenge:

Goal: 150 minutes of walking before June 7th.
Minutes remaining: 0!

• May 25th: 40 minutes, 1.7km — local market visit and family visit
• May 27th: 40 minutes, 1.7km — a shorter loop around my local neighbourhood. 
• May 29th: 60 minutes, 2.2km — a walk to my parents' place, and a longer loop home around the local inlet with our resident blue heron. (Sadly, no blue heron sighting during this walk)
• June 1: 60 minutes, 2.2km — a walk to my parents' place, and a loop home again. Still no blue heron sighting :( 
• June 2: 30 minutes, 1.5km — a walk around the Rideau canal and back. Still no great blue heron. Wherefore art though, Mr. Bird?